We on the staff of Church of God, The Eternal,
have received numerous inquiries about the
doctrinal changes which have taken place within
the Worldwide Church of God. We are asked
why we refuse to change along with the
Church—why we won't accept CHANGE. The
following article explains the reasons.

Numerous changes in doctrine, policy, and tradition have occurred within God's
Church since the original revelation of truth in this age. Other changes in doctrine continue
to transpire. While it was taught, in past years, that God never changes—that doctrines are
absolute and members must be resolute in faith—the opposite is taught today. The
membership is asked to believe and accept the following concepts: 1) God does allow for
changes in doctrine. 2) He left His Church in error for years. 3) Doctrinal truth is
progressive. 4) As modern scholarship techniques are developed, our understanding of
doctrinal truth can and probably will also change—perhaps never coming to absolute truth
that is unalterable.

Members who did not accept the first changes in the 1970s were told they were being
rebellious toward God and His government. Those who refused to change with the Church,
it was taught, had no hope of eternal life—there was no salvation unless one remained within
the body of the Worldwide Church of God. The leadership in Pasadena issued public
disclaimers to such beliefs, but in private these teachings were absolute. And many fear-tactic sermons were preached to this effect, from the Church's pulpits around the world, to
prevent a mass exodus of its troubled members.

Many members of the Worldwide Church of God were sobered at the multitude of
doctrines which were changed, altered, or even dropped altogether. But they feared to ask
serious or meaningful questions about obvious Scriptural contradictions within the "new"
doctrines, lest they be branded heretical and put out of the Church. They were taught the
false concept that there is no other group obeying God, and therefore no place to turn.
Consequently, most of these spiritually troubled people continued to attend for a time, sitting
through continual shock waves as one after another of the cherished doctrinal beliefs tumbled
like bowling pins. Now, almost three decades since those initial changes began, that original
body has preserved virtually none of its original teachings.

The changes were almost endless. Some of the major doctrinal changes that first
weakened the foundation of the Church concerned divorce and remarriage, divine healing,
and the proper day on which to observe Pentecost. One can only sit back in wide-eyed
astonishment that such changes have transpired with the Body of Jesus Christ!

It was taught that, by these changes, God is leading His Church out of a spiritual
wilderness and relieving His people from the "oppressive" doctrines of the past. Since the
Scriptures were interpreted to show these changes as "relief," the ministers then became
"helpers of their joy." Some of the very first changes were as follows:

1) The manner is which we are to observe the Sabbath and Holy Days was liberalized. Entertainment and pleasure-seeking on the Sabbath were now a way of life for many.

2) The land Sabbath was said to be optional.

3) Long hair for men, makeup for women, and birthday parties for children were given ministerial approval.

5) Gambling was proclaimed to be honorable before God. The reasoning was: Since God gives us everything for nothing, it is all right for us to get something for nothing.

6) The promise of a "place of safety" was no longer a reality for the Church.

7) Passover could be observed on either the 14th or the 15th of Nisan.

8) The unconverted public began to be invited to church services.

9) Entertainment (big-name "stars") began to be used as a drawing card for festival attendance.

10) The emphasis was on "play" rather than "pray."

11) Children were allowed and encouraged to do "their thing."

12) Prayer and study were no longer emphasized as necessary on a day-by-day basis.

13) We were told we should expect a Christian to occasionally get in a bad attitude and sin before God.

14) Holidays of the world began to be observed, in order to avoid offending the community.

15) Smoking began to be practiced by some leaders.

16) Eating unclean meat was also practiced by some members.

17) Lying and bearing false witness were no longer considered essentially the same. One is permitted to "lie" to protect himself, as long as he does not bear false witness against his neighbor. The concept was taught in Bible classes at Ambassador College. And this same teaching was sent to the field ministry via cassette tapes, as part of the "educational service" to the ministry.

18) Other areas of doctrinal and traditional belief in which alterations occurred included prophecy, the identity of Israel, tithing, and fasting with prayer to determine God's will for an ordination.

What Do We Mean—Change?

Make no mistake about it, the Bible emphatically records changes of individuals,
nations, and even God. Some of these changes have been for good and some for evil.

A text in Ezekiel, chapter eighteen, illustrates the difference between good and evil
changes. Verses 21–22 state: ". . . if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath
committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely
live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be
mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live." Thus, when a man
changes his sinful ways to righteous obedience toward God, that change is good! But notice
verse 24, ". . . when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth
iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he
live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he
hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die." If a righteous man
turns from his obedience to God—and turns to a licentious and permissive lifestyle—that
change is bad!

When we speak of change, we are speaking of change which can or should be made
in man's character. And obviously, not all change is good. One must be careful not to
assume all change is improvement.

Also, when speaking of change, we must not confuse character change with doctrinal
change. There is a world of difference between the two. Once we establish, through God's
revelation, what truth is, we must hold it fast and never change it. Rather, we must change
ourselves—our character—to conform to that doctrinal truth which was revealed. Then, we
shall "surely live." But if we change doctrine (depart from revealed doctrinal truth) to
substantiate sinful lifestyles, we shall surely die!

God has given us free moral agency to decide whether we obey what He revealed.
He has not given us the right to obey only what fits our whims and lifestyles, or what seems
right to us (Proverbs 14:12). Study Deuteronomy 30:15–20 where free moral agency is
clearly explained. Free moral agency presupposes that mankind is able to understand, by the
way of salvation, what God reveals—and that he is capable of attaining to the doctrinal
standard which never changes. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, ". . . those things which are
revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this
law."

God revealed WHAT. We must decide WHETHER. When we have lived contrary
to the "what" all our lives, it is obvious we need relief. God's method of relief is to call us
to a knowledge of His revealed Truth (doctrine) and, through the help of His Holy Spirit,
begin a process involving the change of our character to meet the high standards of that
revealed truth.

Yet, some say, "I can't live that way. Its's too hard." Thus, the Bible reveals, many
are willing to water down God's Truth in order to obtain "relief." But God says, "For this
commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you . . ."—". . . not beyond
your power, it is not beyond your reach . . ." (Deuteronomy 30:11, Revised Standard Version
and Moffatt translation). God does not water down His truth to give "relief." He lifts man
upward to conform to His unchanging way of life. That is real and lasting relief!

Biblical Examples of Change

The apostle Paul wrote, under the inspiration of God, "For whatsoever things were
written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). Therefore, much insight or understanding can
be gleaned from a careful scrutiny of the individual and national examples recorded—both
good and bad examples.

In the antediluvian world God revealed His laws, judgments, and statutes. He told
them what. He told them how. From the Garden of Eden to the days of Noah, most men
changed—but not for the good or the better, only for the worse. There were pitifully few
who were willing to walk in God's way of life. But the time of Noah, all humanity (except
Noah) had degenerated—changed to a sinful departure from the truth. ". . . God saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his
heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Again, "The earth also was corrupt before
God, and the earth was filled with violence" (Genesis 6:11).

Here is a recorded change—but it was a bad change. Notice, however, that God did
not change His standards—the doctrinal truths based on his laws. Rather, He destroyed those
who departed from the truth!

Jesus promised it would be the same at His Second Coming (Matthew 24:37–39).
Only a few would remain faithful (Matthew 7:14, Luke 18:8). Is it any wonder there are
some many admonitions to the people of God to "hold fast?"

Time would fail us to record the seemingly endless examples of "change" recorded
in the Bible. Abraham, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Tower of Babel, David's numbering of
Israel, Rahab, and the apostle Paul are meaningful examples of changes toward bad or good.
We can even read of God repenting—changing His mind (Exodus 32:14)

But, in not one single instance can we read where God authorized changes in His
doctrines!

We read where man changed—sometimes from bad to good, and other times from
good to bad. These changes were made either to meet God's never-failing standards, or to
degenerate and depart from them

Why We Should Change

At this point we should ask, ". . . What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son
of man, that thou visitest him?" (Hebrews 2:6). Suffice it to briefly say, in this article, that
man has the potential to be born into the family of God (see I John 3:1–3). That is man's
ultimate destiny if he qualifies—if he overcomes his carnal nature, which is sinful and which
carnally desires to depart from God's revealed way of life. For a fuller explanation of man's
future destiny, write for our article, What is the Work of God?

Man, separated from God is sinful (Jeremiah 10:23–24; 17:9, Romans 3:10–18; 8:7).
He naturally follows that which seems right to human reasoning (Proverbs 16:25). This
reasoning will lead to ultimate destruction.

Therefore, man needs to change. He needs to conquer, with the help of God's Holy
Spirit, the sinful habits and ways to which his own nature is inclined. This change is for
man's good and will aid him in reaching the scale of perfection found in God's Law—God's
doctrines.

Again, it must be remembered that God does not lower His standard of truth to allow
man to pursue a sinful lifestyle. Instead, man must seek the help of God's Spirit and thereby
come up to God's standards that are never-failing, never-changing! I CHANGE NOT,
thunders God (Malachi 3:6).

Why We Should NOT Change

Once God has revealed His truth to man, and the understanding of that truth has been
substantiated through individual study (study of the Bible and related data), should man ever
change? What happens to a Christian within God's Church when wrong change occurs?

First of all, such a person begins a rapid spiritual decline. He inevitable returns to
what he was before God called him—he again lacks godly character and personality. This
is described in 2 Peter 2:20–22. "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been
better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them
according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was
washed to her wallowing in the mire." (For a broader explanation of the principles involved
in Peter's statement, write for our article entitled Doctrinal Changes—How They Affect You!). Backsliding occurs. A person is no longer under God's grace. But forgiveness can
be granted only after one repents—changes. That, when the person once again reaches up
for the doctrinal truths of God, which are absolute and never-changing.

Second, when a person rejects revealed truth (makes ungodly changes), he begins to
thwart the very purpose for which God placed him on the earth. He begins to fail his
intended destiny. He no longer is qualifying to rule in the Kingdom of God. He cannot be
born into God's family.

Last, such an individual will come directly under Satanic influence. The devices of
the Devil are subtle indeed (2 Corinthians 2:10–11). An ungodly change in just one basic
doctrinal area is sufficient to bring to pass a departure from revealed truth. If the Devil can
influence one change (James 2:10, Ephesians 6:11–12), he knows it will be only a matter of
time before a person ceases to obey God.

The latter is especially true in the matter of the proper day on which to observe
Pentecost (which symbolically represents the coming of God's Holy Spirit to aid and beget
man). If the wrong day is observed, it is only a matter of time until a departure will occur
in other areas. This, in fact, has happened to God's people.

Many have forgotten the admonition, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand"
(Ephesians 6:13). Jesus said we should pray for deliverance from the evil one (Matthew
6:13). We are warned to be sober and vigilant, concerning our approach to God's way of life
(1 Peter 5:8).

Why this warning? Because the Devil will attempt to persuade us to wrongfully
change our doctrinal convictions—to give up or render ineffective the originally revealed
doctrines. The alert and well-informed are aware of the vast changes which have occurred
over many years in the Worldwide Church of God.

Some of these changes were not initially "official." That is, no formal announcements
were made. As Peter explains, they are "private heresies" (2 Peter 2:1–3). However, when
no objections came from a slumbering, deceived ministry—and no protests were registered
from a cowering, subjugated people—then formal announcements followed, and the
departure from truth became open.

Since the first seemingly insignificant changes in doctrine in the 1970s, virtually all
of that original revelation has now been refuted. And when men change God's Truth to
satisfy their own lusts and lifestyles, the Body of Christ is destined for endless suffering and
eventual oppression. History teaches that those leaders who are the most libertine will
become the most inflexible dictators.

Remember Absalom?

In the absence of David, his father, Absalom subtly influenced the people to rebel
against King David. He promised "relief" if only they would look to him as the new leader.
But when he had achieved the overthrow of David, his libertine promises became
meaningless. He committed sexual promiscuity in the sight of all the people. And the
people, rather than reproving Absalom and rejecting his leadership, turned their heads.

In modern times, the same parallel has happened to the people of God. How different
from the Apostle Paul, who said, "Those things, which ye have both learned [in the past], and
received [truths], and heard [traditional teachings and judgments], and seen in me [personal,
righteous examples], do: and the God of peace shall be with you" (Philippians 4:9).

Yes, God's people are commanded to hold fast to that which was revealed. How can
one hold fast to past teaching and yet accept present changes?

Change Is Not Always Synonymous With Growth!

It is easy to be deceived. Satan has deceived everyone, at one time or another
(Revelation 12:9). Jesus warned His followers to take heed, lest they be deceived (Matthew
24:4). Nevertheless even with such strong Bible admonitions God's people were taught that
once they were called, they could no longer be deceived. (Ask for our article, Can True
Christians Be Deceived?). Thus, instead of looking at ourselves—our leadership, our
practices, our traditions, our policies, and the changing of God's revealed doctrines—we were
kept busy suspecting those outside the church. We were admonished to watch world news,
with special emphasis on prophecy. There was supposedly no need to look within, because
the leaders were "closer" to God and, having God's mind, would always be corrected by Christ
if they strayed or began to depart from God's revealed truth.

Whenever the Worldwide Church of God leadership made a change in doctrine or
policy, they loudly proclaimed that "Christ is leading His Church," or referred to the incident
as "the cocking of the gun." Therefore, any change or decision rendered by Headquarters
was believed to be in the best interest of the church. A great deal of assumption took place.
Most made this near-fatal mistake of assuming every change to be good.

Had we only looked to God's Word and applied it to ourselves, we would have been
forced to ask, "What has been the fruits of these changes?" (Matthew 7:16, 20). "Did these
changes result in spiritual growth in the lives of individuals?" In most cases, doctrinal
changes resulted in making allowances for human failure. These changes lowered God's
standards for the leadership and members, making allowances for the flesh.

So, do not be misled into believing that change is always good. Sometimes, change
is heretical, the penalty being death. This kind of change is apostasy and departure from
truth. The Truth is the high standard of God—the doctrine based on His holy laws and
commandments.

If a change makes allowance for sinful situations, if God's holy, revealed doctrine is
changed or watered down to justify sinful lifestyles, or to make it easier for individuals to
"come into the church," then one can be sure the change is apostasy—a departure from truth.
The validity of such changes cannot be proven honestly from the Bible.

Hold Fast the Revealed Truth

Can a person "hold fast" if he never had the Truth in the first place? If the Worldwide
Church of God had the correct doctrinal truth for forty years, we must conclude it has
apostatized, since it has changed it doctrines. On the other hand, if it has only recently come
to a correct doctrinal understanding, we must conclude it was not God's Church at all, for
God left it in the spiritual wilderness. If that is the case God's Spirit did not guide the church
into all truth as Jesus promised (John 16:13, Jeremiah 2:31).

If God did not reveal the true doctrines to the Worldwide Church of God, many older
members died in vain. Those previously baptized did not have a proper knowledge of the
truth and could not have repented. Their baptisms were not valid, if this were true. But, we
know better than this.

However, can those who have accepted the doctrinal changes be sure these "new
doctrines" are now absolute, never again to be changed? Are the changes inspired of God?
The Doctrinal Committee admitted its studies on the Pentecost issue were not inspired by
God. ("Pentecost Study Material," introductory letter by Charles V. Dorothy, April 22, 1974).

Unless we believe that God revealed the unalterable truth to His end-time
servant—through whom we in turn received it—we can conclude only one of two things.
Either 1) we were never the true Church of God, or 2) there is no such thing as unalterable
truth. While divine truth never changes, we can never be sure what is now called truth will
remain truth.

We in the Church of God, the Eternal, refuse to make any of these unscriptural
changes, because we believe God's Church was given the truth. We believe the fruits proved
that fact until apostasy occurred. We are resolved and determined to hold fast that which was
revealed originally and proven reliable. It was not only proven by the fruits, but also
substantiated by God's Word. This is why we refuse to change, or to approve the current
teaching of the Worldwide Church of God.

This does not mean there is no opportunity for growth in our knowledge and
understanding of God's way. We are admonished to ". . . grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. . . ." (2 Peter 3:18). But this kind of growth
never contradicts that which was already delivered as truth. When a tree grows, its trunk and
roots stay in place, while its branches are expanded upon the original foundation. The
concept of growth taught by those who have forsaken God is to uproot the tree and transplant
it in a new location. This is not godly growth. The true body of Christ, the church, is a
living, growing entity, but new understanding given to approved and faithful servants will
never refute the perfection of Christ, the Word, already received.